Response to Abducted Infant Earns Officers Award

Communications Director

Response to Abducted Infant Earns Officers Award

Posted: 11/16/2015

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch named Sgt. Mike Fowler and Officer Adam Broome the July Officers of the Month for the Knoxville Police Department. Sgt. Fowler has been with KPD since October 2001. Officer Broome has been with the department since January 2007.

On July 9, 2015, officers responded to the 100 block of Magnolia Avenue to investigate a report of an abducted infant. According to the mother of the 3-week-old child, she along with the non-custodial father of the child had just arrived in Knoxville from Ohio when the male assaulted the female. The male, who was armed with a handgun, took the child and fled on foot. Officers immediately began searching the area for the child. Officer Broome, who was in plain clothes and in an unmarked vehicle, located the suspect and child in the loading dock area of an abandoned building on Morgan Street. Officer Broome and Sgt. Fowler approached the male and initiated a dialogue with the suspect.

Chief Rausch said, “After several minutes Sgt. Fowler was able to talk the suspect into allowing them to secure the handgun that was in the suspect’s possession. Sgt. Fowler continued to build trust with the suspect as negotiators responded to the scene.”

After several more minutes of speaking to the suspect, he relinquished the child to officers. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. A records check on the suspect revealed he was a convicted felon and had outstanding warrants for his arrest from both Illinois and Michigan. The suspect was charged with Domestic Assault and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun.

Chief Rausch said, “Sgt. Fowler and Officer Broome’s actions prevented any harm coming to the child and resulted in the arrest of the convicted felon. Congratulations on a job well done.”